Application of a Clapeyron-Type Equation to the Volume Phase Transition of Polymer Gels

Autor: Toshikazu Takigawa, Jun-ichi Horinaka
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Gels, Vol 6, Iss 3, p 25 (2020)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2310-2861
DOI: 10.3390/gels6030025
Popis: The applicability of the Clapeyron equation to the volume phase transition of cylindrical poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based gels under external force is reviewed. Firstly, the equilibrium conditions for the gels under tension are shown, and then we demonstrate that the Clapeyron equation can be applied to the volume phase transition of polymer gels to give the transition entropy or the transition enthalpy. The transition enthalpy at the volume phase transition obtained from the Clapeyron equation is compared with that from the calorimetry. A coefficient of performance, or work efficiency, for a gel actuator driven by the volume phase transition is also defined. How the work efficiency depends on applied force is shown based on a simple mechanical model. It is also shown that the force dependence of transition temperature is closely related to the efficiency curve. Experimental results are compared with the theoretical prediction.
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